The New England Patriots, never shy to call a trick play on the big stage, pulled the okey-doke early in the second quarter of Sunday’s Super Bowl. And they almost got away with it.

Brady did everything right but catch the ball. From the handoff, to his nonchalant my-role-in-this-play-is-done body language to getting past Eagles pass rusher Chris Long to a wide open field, Brady looked ready for his wide receiver turn.

But whether it was his 40-year-old legs or gimpy hand to blame, Brady just couldn’t quite come up with the big play.

Had Brady caught the pass from Danny Amendola, he would’ve become the oldest player to catch a pass in the Super Bowl at 40 years, 185 days. Jerry Rice caught five passes for 77 yards for the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII at 40 years, 105 days.

Instead the Patriots were left to go for it on fourth-and-five, and came up short.